Girls Tie Record
Death, taxes and IVC girls hoops
By Ben Diggle — The Peoria
Journal Star
Consistency can be maddeningly hard to find in any high school sports program.
But Illinois Valley Central girls basketball has done it.
Last week, the Grey Ghosts (14-14) picked up their seventh consecutive Class A
regional title, with a 44-33 victory over Knoxville at Oneida. That ties
Nashville for the second-longest streak in the state. The longest belongs to
Class A powerhouse Teutopolis, which this week will appear in its 15th
consecutive sectional.
IVC's seventh sectional appearance in a row commences at 8 tonight in Orion, a
semifinal against Wethersfield.
The regional title wasn't the only honor IVC received recently. IVC coach Paul
Mercer picked up his 250th career victory, over ROWVA in the regional
semifinals.
"Somebody asked me afterwards if all the wins and regional titles run together,"
Mercer said. "They don't. Each of these groups has been different and each has
won their regional titles in different ways.
Mercer credits his assistant coaches, Angie Davis and Michelle Carew, for
helping to maintain the school's streak.
"They sacrifice success at the lower levels to produce players that work in our
system," Mercer said. "A lot of coaches wouldn't do that, but they do, and I
can't tell you how helpful it is."
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